8 months old and at the big house

Unfortunately, Reuben caught a nasty virus, RSV and spent his 8 month birthday at the big house. He has been bunking at the hospital since Sunday. We wanted to update you all with some photos.

While at the hospital, Reuben's progress has been monitored vigorously. His nurses have been outstanding and we are grateful to live near a children's hospital


The hospital staff members have been helpful and kind. Yesterday they gave him a little stuffed frog named Smoochie. When Reuben was born, his Poppy Pettersson gave him a stuffed frog, so this is his second hospital hopper.


Dad and Mom have eaten a lot of hospital food (we learned to look around at what the hospital employees order from the cafeteria). Dad and Mom have been able to sleep at the hospital, too.



Yesterday, he started being able to sit up and even took a short respite to play with his toys.


We have been thankful for the support and love of our dear family and friends.

7 months old, today

Reuben is 7 months old today! We have had some fun developments and firsts over the last month

1. Reuben has learned to scream really loud when he wants attention--channeling a Raptor like Aunt Angi suggested?
2. Reuben's Mom received her first call home regarding this newly discovered skill, "Hi this is Annie, Reuben's teacher, I need to talk to you about his behavior"

3. He has learned to raise his arms when he wants to be held, Dad worked hard on teaching this skill and it's great, unless he does it while crying when we are trying to leave him at baby school
4. Reuben's Dad gets to pick Reuben up in the early afternoon everyday, which allows for all sorts of shenanigans and new skill lessons

5. Reuben has learned how to spit-out food to the dogs when they are circling under his chair (hum, how does dad and new skill lessons fit into this equation?)
6. Reuben has gone back to the pacifier, he refused one from months 4 through 6 and then found his old friend, again

7. Reuben is a rolly polly and is on the verge for crawling, we think

Six Months Old Today!

Ahh, month number 6... Momma's friend, Ginny, said, "months 4 to 7 are the best and happiest time in any person's life..." We agree! Reuben has happily done the following over the last month:

1). Ate his first food. He had rice cereal and he is still getting the hang of it.
2). Started sitting up in his little chairs, so sweet!
3). Got his first tooth, bottom-front-left side, yay!
4). Learned that the pups react to his grabby hands and loud little voice.
5). Celebrated the holidays with friends and family, generous season indeed.
6). Started "chomping" the faces of those he loves--these are kisses, right?

5 months old today!

We can hardly believe it, Reub is 5 months old today!

Still a thumb sucker...

During the past month, Reuben has:
1). Started a new baby school, this one is fondly called BABY YALE... No expense spared for the boy...
2). Gone on a road trip and celebrated Thanksgiving
3). Spent his first night away from mom (while mom was out of town for work, dad took full responsibility and did a FANTASTIC job with this daunting task).
4). Moved from indiscriminant hand sucking to "thumbs up" style
5). Starting cutting his first tooth (we can see it and expect it will peek out any day)

Happy 4 Month Birthday!

Each month Reuben has learned new things and so have we! Here's the highlights from mom's perspective:
1). Reuben has learned to look for mirrors because he loves to look at himself. When he finds himself he smiles a big gummy grin and is so excited that we have started calling mirror gazing "doing a little baby crack"--we aren't sure if it is legal, but everyone at our house is addicted.
2). Reuben has learned to grab toys and other objects, including hair and eyeglasses. The first time he did it, he was confused and quite frankly, a little scared--but he has stuck with it and now loves to hold his toys (Jaque the Peacock is a favorite).
3). Reuben has discovered the dogs. Bartlet and Kitty will never have the leisurely life they once enjoyed! Its just a matter of time before Reuben is mobile and then... watch out puppies!
4). Reuben's momma and dad started calling him the BLACK-HOLE OF CUTENESS this month because he sucks us into his orbit and we loose minutes, hours and well, you get the picture...

The third month was by far our most fun and we cannot wait to see what month four brings!

Parental Guilt

This week has been an eventful one for the Reubster:

1). On Sunday, his momma was cutting his finger nails. She was using specially purchased baby nail clippers that came with this fabulous description "Product Description: Innovative safe-grip design, with stop edge and side guards for security and comfort. Secure grip for the parent, protects baby's fingers. From birth." and she cut his little thumb. It was HORRIBLE! He cried and it bled and now, 5 days later, mom still feels HORRIBLE!

2). On Tuesday, Reuben's baby school teacher (Ms. Cheryl) called with the news that he had a "low grade fever"--so Reuben's momma and dad took him to the pediatrician. He has an ear infection and requires medication... Reuben's dad feels HORRIBLE because he is the one who brought a pesky cold home and infected the family, or so he thinks.

3). In addition to giving people HUGE gummy smiles, this week--Reuben has started to giggle and laugh. The sad part is Reub's momma forgot to write down the date of his first social smile... lesson learned... write things down because new parent brains are not very good at remembering dates.

HAPPY 3 MONTH BIRTHDAY TOMORROW--LITTLE MAN!

Again, this picture was blurred for family viewing.... or Mom needs to learn how to take a photo that is actually in focus... geez!

2 month pediatrician appointment

Today was Reuben's 2 month pediatrician appointment.
Height: 75th to 90th percentile (24 inches)
Weight: 25th percentile (10 pounds 15 ounces)
Head Circumference: 50th percentile

He got several immunizations and is officially, tall and skinny!

Happy 1 month Little Man

We love how grouchy he looks in this picture!